Something that has come up from a couple of guys I chat with for Picaxe applications. Is there a sensor that can be attached to the outside of a line/pipe/tube that will detect the presence or absence of fluid in the tube? Flow rate is a nice bonus, but not required. Relative density might also be nice (one would like to detect various gasses).
An example. Say you have a gas (petrol) tank on a vehicle that has no fuel gage. The tank feeds to a reserve, which, in turn feeds to the engine. Once the primary tank is empty, you would like a warning that you are now on reserve. You do not want to put anything foreign in the fuel line, nor do you want to pierce it, creating a failure point for leaks.
The fuel line could be metal or rubber, I am guessing.
One would think there would be ultrasonic or RF (radar-like), inductance, capacitance, proximity, or other sensors that could accomplish this, but after some "quality" google time, I am at a loss. One of the guys, an engineering type had suggested that the flowing fuel will create a static buildup, and by testing the static voltage in a section, you could tell if fuel was flowing. Stops flowing, you are out.
A strap-on solution would be ideal.
Just dumbfounded here. Any illumination, hints, etc. appreciated.
Wreno
An example. Say you have a gas (petrol) tank on a vehicle that has no fuel gage. The tank feeds to a reserve, which, in turn feeds to the engine. Once the primary tank is empty, you would like a warning that you are now on reserve. You do not want to put anything foreign in the fuel line, nor do you want to pierce it, creating a failure point for leaks.
The fuel line could be metal or rubber, I am guessing.
One would think there would be ultrasonic or RF (radar-like), inductance, capacitance, proximity, or other sensors that could accomplish this, but after some "quality" google time, I am at a loss. One of the guys, an engineering type had suggested that the flowing fuel will create a static buildup, and by testing the static voltage in a section, you could tell if fuel was flowing. Stops flowing, you are out.
A strap-on solution would be ideal.
Just dumbfounded here. Any illumination, hints, etc. appreciated.
Wreno